Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2010

While the young salarymen of yesteryear used to dine out in style on the rich platter (ahem) available at convenience stores, today’s single fellas prepare their own food. Welcome to the era of what the Japanese media have dubbed bento danshi (“packed-lunch boys”). Fledgling cooks afraid that such behavior will affect their status as red-blooded males can draw strength from the Ojue Lunch Box. Looking like a gadget from a James Bond movie, the box features three containers that are designed to stack vertically, allowing it to fit flush against the other manly items in your briefcase. Just don’t buy the pink version.

Ojue lunch box, ¥2,300. Available from department stores including Tokyu Hands. www.metaphys.jp